Visit Seen as Symbolic Show of Support as Government Presses Ahead With Overhauls

ATHENS—German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised Greece's reform efforts during a visit to the Greek capital Friday in what was seen as a symbolic show of support for the government here as it presses ahead with overhauls, and ahead of upcoming local and European elections next month.

Ms. Merkel's visit, her second in a year-and-a-half to the Greek capital, comes one day after the country ended a four-year hiatus from the debt markets...